Notebooks

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A New Breed of Hobby Horse

At present, far too much seriousness is invested in hobbies. They should instead be pursued quietly, for their own sake.

Alastair Benn April 14, 2023

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Macron stands apart from the United States – and Europe

The French President’s visit to China demonstrates why European Strategic Autonomy cannot be just a French Project.

Alessio Patalano April 14, 2023

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Three Colours: Blue — growing old gracefully

Thirty years on from its release, Three Colours: Blue remains as vivid a depiction of grief as ever.

Agnès Poirier April 12, 2023

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Pensions in a time of kings

The idea of a ‘right to retirement’ dates back to the Ancien Régime, derived from the social expectations of its elites, and dependent upon the king’s authority. The French protest..

Lola Salem April 7, 2023

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Succession: the end of the line

Succession will probably conclude like so many other great narrative artworks – a bit shambolically, leaving the viewer mostly bewildered and frustrated.

Alastair Benn April 7, 2023

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Laughing with the Face of God

Christianity is often derided as a humourless creed, but since earliest times Easter has been a time of laughter, prompted by a belief in Christ’s victory over death.

Fergus Butler-Gallie April 7, 2023

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Prisoner of Putin

During the latter decades of the Cold War, Western correspondents could feel reasonably secure behind the Iron Curtain, but because Vladimir Putin no longer aspires to be part of t..

Elisabeth Braw April 5, 2023

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When the Founding Fathers opposed the Supreme Court

With the overturning of abortion rights in America, questions have turned to the court’s legitimacy and power — but this is not a new debate. It has haunted US politics for centuri..

Angus Brown March 31, 2023

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Locked arms: looming threats to the Romania-NATO partnership

The strategically important relationship between NATO and Romania has historically been positive — but now pressure from a number of factors, including the war in Ukraine, domestic..

Mara Balasa March 24, 2023